performance shortfall?

Just took a ride on my new-to-me 2001 naked SV. I've been enjoying blatting about on the country roads around Brighton, but tonight was the first time I've been on fast A/motorway-type roads, and the bike seemed to lack a bit of guts.

I had to really wind it up to get past 80mph in 6th gear, and at no point could I get it past 90/6000 rpm in top, however much of a run-up I took. (It revs freely to 9500 rpm in lower gears.) Does this sound about normal perfomance?

When I got it, the bike had done 2200 miles (now, a week later, 2500). The first 2000 were done in its first couple of years, so it's barely been ridden since 2004. I suspect it's never been above 6000 rpm, either.

I've done an oil and filter change, but nothing else yet (no spark plugs, no filter, etc.) – it's booked into a local Suzuki dealer for that and fluid changes next week.

Any thoughts, on whether the bike's a bit low on go, and if so what might be the cause?

Might be limited!

It does actually feel like that! I did wonder...

Have a look into that for a starter

Hang on, though – if it was restricted, it wouldn't run right through the revs in lower gears. Would it?

Originally Posted by the red devil

Hang on, though – if it was restricted, it wouldn't run right through the revs in lower gears. Would it?

that sound's restricted either by ecu or throttle stop & washer's in the air box.

Originally Posted by zsv650

that sound's restricted either by ecu or throttle stop & washer's in the air box.

There's no ecu on a 2001 SV.

Thanks for the advice, guys. I think you might be right that it's restricted – hey, look on the bright side. At least the engine hasn't been overstressed!

I found another thread explaining how to do a physical check for washer-based restriction, but it also mentioned 'different sliders'. I have no idea what this means (not mechanically gifted...). Anyone able to explain?

(And the bike's carbed, so you're right, no ECU.)

Originally Posted by the red devil

Thanks for the advice, guys. I think you might be right that it's restricted – hey, look on the bright side. At least the engine hasn't been overstressed!

I found another thread explaining how to do a physical check for washer-based restriction, but it also mentioned 'different sliders'. I have no idea what this means (not mechanically gifted...). Anyone able to explain?

(And the bike's carbed, so you're right, no ECU.)

Different carb sliders - I can't remember which is which, but it's something to do with holes in the slide. There's plenty of threads on it if you care to do a search through the old data.

Thanks!